Types of Retail Displays: A Complete Guide to POP Display Options

 
 

Floor Displays

Floor displays are freestanding merchandising units positioned throughout a retail store to attract attention outside the traditional shelf set. They are one of the most versatile POP display solutions and are commonly used for product launches, seasonal promotions, and high-volume merchandise.

Best For:

  • Beverages

  • Consumer packaged goods (CPG)

  • Snack foods

  • Seasonal promotions

  • Health and beauty products

Advantages:

  • High visibility

  • Large branding area

  • Multiple product facings

  • Encourages impulse purchases

Gravity Feed Displays

Gravity feed displays use angled shelves that automatically move products to the front as items are removed. This keeps products organized, fully faced, and easy for shoppers to access.

They're especially popular within the beverage industry because they maintain an attractive presentation while reducing store employee maintenance.

Best For:

  • Beverage cans

  • Energy drinks

  • Bottled beverages

  • Packaged snacks

Advantages:

  • Self-facing products

  • Organized presentation

  • Reduced labor

  • Excellent product visibility

Sidekick Displays

Sidekick displays attach directly to existing shelving, allowing retailers to merchandise complementary products without requiring additional floor space.

They're an excellent solution for cross-selling and encouraging add-on purchases.

Best For:

  • Accessories

  • Condiments

  • Small packaged goods

  • Promotional products

Advantages:

  • Efficient use of space

  • Cross-merchandising

  • Low cost

  • Easy installation

Case Stacker Displays

Case stackers allow retailers to merchandise full product cases while minimizing setup time. Instead of unpacking individual products, complete cases become the display.

They're especially popular in grocery stores, warehouse clubs, and beverage promotions.

Best For:

  • Beverage cases

  • Bottled water

  • Soft drinks

  • Club store promotions

Advantages:

  • Fast setup

  • Reduced labor

  • High inventory capacity

  • Ideal for promotional pricing

Finding the Right Display for Your Product

Retail displays come in many shapes, sizes, and materials, but they all share one goal: attracting shoppers and increasing product sales. Choosing the right display depends on several factors, including your product, retail environment, merchandising strategy, campaign duration, and budget.

Whether you're introducing a new product, launching a seasonal promotion, or building a permanent retail presence, selecting the appropriate Point-of-Purchase (POP) display can dramatically improve product visibility and shopper engagement.

This guide explores the most common types of retail displays and explains when each is most effective.

Counter Displays

Counter displays are compact merchandising units placed near checkout counters or customer service areas. Their small footprint makes them ideal for products purchased on impulse while customers wait to complete their transaction.

Best For:

  • Candy

  • Gift cards

  • Travel-size products

  • Cosmetics

  • Promotional items

Advantages:

  • Excellent for impulse buying

  • Minimal retail footprint

  • Easy to replenish

  • Ideal for limited-space environments

Endcap Displays

Endcap displays occupy the highly visible ends of retail aisles. Because shoppers naturally pass these locations while moving throughout the store, endcaps often generate significantly more exposure than standard shelving.

Retailers frequently reserve endcaps for promotional campaigns, featured products, and seasonal merchandise.

Best For:

  • Featured brands

  • Promotional campaigns

  • New product launches

  • Seasonal merchandise

Advantages:

  • Premium store placement

  • Heavy shopper traffic

  • Increased product exposure

  • Strong promotional impact

Dump Bin Displays

Dump bins are open-top merchandising containers designed to encourage shoppers to browse through products. They are frequently used for discounted merchandise, promotional items, and high-volume impulse products.

Best For:

  • Toys

  • Apparel accessories

  • Snack foods

  • Clearance items

  • Promotional merchandise

Advantages:

  • High product capacity

  • Encourages browsing

  • Excellent for promotions

  • Cost-effective

Choosing the Right Retail Display

Every retail program has different objectives. Some displays are designed to generate impulse purchases during a short-term promotion, while others are built to create a permanent branded presence that lasts for years.

When selecting the right display, consider:

  • Product size and weight

  • Retail environment

  • Campaign duration

  • Budget

  • Branding objectives

  • Shipping requirements

  • Retailer specifications

The most successful retail programs often combine multiple display types to maximize visibility throughout the shopper journey.

Partner with The Alison Group


At The Alison Group, we design and manufacture custom Point-of-Purchase displays that help brands capture attention where it matters most—on the retail floor.

From photorealistic 3D design and prototype development to full-scale manufacturing and nationwide distribution, our team manages every stage of the process to ensure your display performs as beautifully in-store as it does on the drawing board.

Whether you're launching a new product, promoting a seasonal campaign, or expanding into national retail chains, we'll help you create a custom POP display that strengthens your brand, increases product visibility, and supports your retail merchandising goals.

Contact Us Today to Review Your Project